I just received the following email from my congressman. Thought the group might like to see it.
Tom
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Dear Mr. Bedwell:
Thank you for taking the time to write to me about Amtrak. I believe that staying in touch with the people of the Sixth District is the most important part of my job. Your thoughts and opinions will enable me to better represent you in our nation's Capitol.
With over 22,000 miles of track, Amtrak connects our communities by providing an efficient means of transportation for our country. Over the past thirty years, Amtrak has grown into a vast rail network that now serves over 24 million passengers a year. Our communities have come to depend on passenger rail service, and we must continue to provide all Americans with affordable transportation opportunities.
Congress prepared to reauthorize Amtrak through 2006 at the start of the 108th Congress, but failed to reach an agreement on the future of Amtrak. Without reauthorizing legislation, Congress included $1.225 billion in the Transportation Appropriations bill to keep the national system running through 2004. Although this figure is less than Amtrak's original request of $1.812 billion, Amtrak President David Gunn announced that funding is sufficient to maintain service. As Congress prepares to reauthorize Amtrak beyond 2004, I intend to support increased funding for this important form of public transportation.
As always, I value your input and will continue to rely on the advice of Central Kentuckians as I work to bring economic growth and jobs to our communities, fight against the skyrocketing costs of health care, ensure the best possible education for our children, stand up for veterans, and protect Social Security and Medicare.
Thank you again for writing to me, and please feel free to contact me anytime I can be of assistance to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Ben Chandler
Member of Congress
Tom
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Dear Mr. Bedwell:
Thank you for taking the time to write to me about Amtrak. I believe that staying in touch with the people of the Sixth District is the most important part of my job. Your thoughts and opinions will enable me to better represent you in our nation's Capitol.
With over 22,000 miles of track, Amtrak connects our communities by providing an efficient means of transportation for our country. Over the past thirty years, Amtrak has grown into a vast rail network that now serves over 24 million passengers a year. Our communities have come to depend on passenger rail service, and we must continue to provide all Americans with affordable transportation opportunities.
Congress prepared to reauthorize Amtrak through 2006 at the start of the 108th Congress, but failed to reach an agreement on the future of Amtrak. Without reauthorizing legislation, Congress included $1.225 billion in the Transportation Appropriations bill to keep the national system running through 2004. Although this figure is less than Amtrak's original request of $1.812 billion, Amtrak President David Gunn announced that funding is sufficient to maintain service. As Congress prepares to reauthorize Amtrak beyond 2004, I intend to support increased funding for this important form of public transportation.
As always, I value your input and will continue to rely on the advice of Central Kentuckians as I work to bring economic growth and jobs to our communities, fight against the skyrocketing costs of health care, ensure the best possible education for our children, stand up for veterans, and protect Social Security and Medicare.
Thank you again for writing to me, and please feel free to contact me anytime I can be of assistance to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Ben Chandler
Member of Congress
